Maybe I'd had to many reds before we got here; maybe I wasn't in the mood; maybe we should have…read moregone Japanese.... I dunno what, but Athenian did not live up to my expectations, or my admittedly distant memories of a fine lunch had long ago. Went with a party of about 7 for Friday night after after-works drinks, (always a bit risky I guess) and all pretty hungry. Got a table no problem, (bit surprising on a Friday night) and away we went. Dolmades, spanokopita, tzatziki, taramasalata, pita bread, calamari for entrees. Hmm. The calamari was a mixture of baby calamari leggy bits and strips of tune - seemed ok but a bit greasy. Spanokopita, nice, dips, nice, pita bread, fresh but a bit greasy. Dolmades, ok but a bit soft. Mains, for most, was the lamb shoulder in one form or another, in my case with braised veg, and my fellow diners with with a mixture of roasties and salad. The lamb was well cooked, but a bit greasy, and my veg was braised regrettably long, to the point where it all tasted the same - and a bit greasy. Common theme appearing here, right? To be fair, there was nothing really wrong with it all (except it was a bit greasy) but nothing really memorable or especially right with it either. I'll probably give it another go for old times sake, but on the basis of this meal I would say there is much better Greek to be had in the area.

We used to come here all the time for work lunches circa-2009. I'd forgotten it was even here!…read more Wandered past on a Monday night looking for somewhere to eat - and the (hacy, wine-infused) memories came flooding back! Had an excellent eggplant and feta dip with pita and the Athenian mixed special (lamb and various vegetables/leaves stuffed with spiced mince and sometimes cheese) - all very tasty. Slow cooked beef looked excellent. Decent, well-priced wine list. Pleasant service, great for groups.

Afous is an absolute gem, was recommended here by sister, had dinner with my boyfriend then…read morereturned the next week with my family. The restaurant decor is beautiful and the crowd is a real mix, I saw couples having a romantic dinner, families and big groups all enjoying their meal. Tucked away near the Spit Bridge it features water views in an intimate atmosphere. The service is friendly, geniune and professional and they helpful with recommendations. The menu is concise but everything is done well. We had the crab felafel, chicken and leek croquettes, lamb kofta, halumi and rocket salad, paella, beef cheeks and he dessert tasting platter and could not find any fault. The food is authentic, fresh and delicious and the staff help pace the meal well. The beef was especially good, it cut like butter and featured a wine glaze, the rose water rice pudding was also a highlight. Afous is really an experience, the food is made fresh to order so enjoy some wine or a cocktail and soak in the atmosphere. Enjoyed both dinners and will be back soon!

A Fous replaces a long standing, but ultimately failed fish restaurant. That predates my…read moreexperience, and only know A Fous here on the end of the Spit - just before the bridge. Let's start with the owner: he is the most wonderful, gracious and hospitable host I've ever met. His opening line is "welcome to my home" and it's all good from there. Each time I've been here (3 times in all), I have just asked him to choose the dishes and keep them coming until we say "enough". Given this is a Moroccan tapas kind of place (whatever that is?), it's more "ca suffit" or "hallas" with my best French or Arabic accents, respectively. Food is varied and delicious and small enough so you can try many things. BYO and bring your good stuff to go with the meal. No corkage fee, and they will keep whatever you want chilled until you're ready to go. For example, one time we dropped off our wine and beer before heading out on a boat. They happily held it in their fridge for us until dinner. Last good thing is that A Fous is really not that expensive, especially if you bring your own beverages. All you can eat (see above!) was about $170 for 2 couples. That's first rate for an elite eat here in Mosman.

I love restaurants that really transport you to another place with their style and décor, which is…read morewhy I was thrilled to have a Lebanese feast recently at Hannibal Lebanese Restaurant in Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia. The Middle Eastern spot has two pillow-filled party rooms perfect for large gatherings, while the main dining room offers a cozy dining experience decorated with rugs from the area, pillows and comfy cushioned seating, artwork, decorated plates and hanging adornments. The spot is BYO, a feature I'm always excited about in Australia because it helps you save money and sip on exactly what you want. The vegetarian meal consisting of nearly a dozen tapas courses kicked off with hoummos ($9) and baba ganouj ($11) and a massive mound of khobz, or Lebanese bread, whose pockets allowed you to create sandwiches to your heart's content. I've never been a huge fan of baba ganouj because of the runny versions I've encountered, but this one was thick, creamy, garlic-packed and delicious. The hoummos was top-notch, too, with a great thick consistency. Next up was tabouli ($13), in a heaping bowl, again, not overly-watery and chopped so that it was easy to scoop up and combine with the other elements. It was vibrantly green and a great khobz addition. Falafel ($7) came next, generous donut-shaped bites of the fried chickpeas. They were fried well, not overly hard or soft, and I enjoyed the sauce drizzled over the falafel. Sliced eggplant ($12) came out next. Again, I'm not the biggest eggplant fan, but these were heaven. Their charred skins gave off a crunchy texture and welcome smoky flavor, while the eggplant was covered in an ideal amount of oil that enhanced their taste without making them soggy. One of the best parts of the spread, all which came out in about 15 minutes total for a massive meal that lent itself to mixing flavors, was the spinach pie ($12). The fried feta cheese- and spinach-filled slice was pure bliss in every bite. It was a decadent vegetarian course that added new flavors to the meal. The fried cauliflower ($12) was another filling portion, topped with tahini dressing. The meaty cruciferous vegetable quickly makes bellies full. Vine leaves are one of my favorite Mediterranean dishes, and Hannibal's ($13) didn't disappoint. The large leaves stuffed with rice, tomato and parsley were again meaty and filling and packed a ton of flavors. For dessert, there was baklava ($2.50), probably the best I've ever had. The portion offered a few bites and had the perfect ratio of dough-to-pistachio filling, baked in Middle Eastern honey syrup so that it melted in your mouth. As a fan of tapas-style serving where you can try lots of small plates in one sitting, Hannibal Lebanese Restaurant is one I'd return to over and over. The spot features belly dancing for parties and on Saturday's (call ahead to confirm times), and the beautiful atmosphere enhances the elegance of every plate.

If you really want to eat so much food that you need to undo the top button of your jeans then I…read moresuggest you try the banquet here at Hannibal. For $35 you can get all you can eat pita bread and dips, then so many different kinds of meats that you loose track then there was some vine leaves and then what looked like meat spring rolls and then some more meat and then falafel and then tabouli and then....probably some more meat then cinnamon tea and baklava for dessert. There's a minimum of two people to the banquets...unsure how you can get through that much food though with two people as six of us struggled to eat everything that was served. Also this place is BYO so you can bring whatever drinks you want which is great if you want a reasonable priced night out. I highly recommend this place if you have a lot of people and you haven't eaten in a few days! You won't need to eat again for a while....

It was our last night in Australia and time for our farewell dinner at George's Mediterranean. We…read morestarted our walk from the hotel, with our tour guide (Pat) being keen to show us some more Public transport infrastructure. Before we knew it we were deep under Wynyard station emerging 5 minutes later (sans steps or traffic lights) to the breathtaking Barangaroo, a completely new part of the city. Our dinner (and table) was fabulous (I chose the Lamb), with good conversation, wine/beer, and great service flowing freely. And of course, Sydney had one last parting gift on our way home. That was a memorable ferry ride with front row seats to see Darling Harbour, Sydney's iconic bridge, and Opera house lit up and shining ever so bright in the utterly perfect early Autumn night sky.

Good enough lunch in a good (but touristy) location. My Tiger Prawn and Peach Salad was beautiful…read moreand had a tasty dressing with crisp greens and sweet peaches but the prawns were tough. The smoky eggplant starter was quite good. Highlight was the fact that we could sit on a comfy couch and watch the world go by while eating.

We came here on a quiet Sunday evening in winter. The outdoor patio was open with the heat lamps…read moreon, so we sat outside. It was comfortable and the servers made sure our heat lamp was working. We ordered an array of dishes, including the hummus, beetroot falafel, salad of smoked freekeh, and clay pot manti. Every dish was delicious. The flavors were bright and the ingredients were very fresh. The clay pot manti was good but not our favorite. The flavors were not as vibrant and fresh as the other dishes. So many amazing dishes to try!

It was a fairly busy night with Vivid, but the staff were friendly and attentive nonetheless. At my…read morewife's request they were more than happy to move us to a table under the heaters, with the manager checking to make sure we were happy. The food was perfect, with amazing bread, dips and main meals. The lamb shoulder was a particular highlight. Will happily come back here again next time we're in Darling Harbour.

Graze - Location…read moreoffers great views of the World Famous Syndy Opera House when cruise ships are not docked Beer Battered NZ Monkfish Fillet were very nice and a British staple, all entrees are very good and well presented. Service is top notch and would highly recommend dining g outside, in fact, don't know if there is dining inside. Hopefully you will not have a 10 story cruise ship blocking your view lime we did, but who cares when you are on holiday and discovering Sydney Australia. Since Graze is part of the Contemporary Art Museum, if you are an art lover, give it ago

Great service, delicious food, and an even better view! We came here to check out their desserts…read moreand you really can't go wrong! All are beautiful and so so so delicious. My personal favorite was the chocolate dome. So rich and creamy! An upscale restaurant so make sure you are dressed appropriately. Staff is very nice. You have an excellent view of the opera house!

A hopeful trend is coming to Darlinghurst. One with class, skill and sensations…read more On each visit to this lovely hidden suburb, I am surprised. A new small bar here, a small eatery there. Darlinghurst is the suburb becoming. Sagra is a sure standout restaurant on a busy corner of main happening strip. Don't be fooled that this little italian on the corner but once your eyes are set upon, you are stunned and surprised in a good way that it has been pulled off. A small 10+ table restaurant that has embraced a grey wood feel with the warm glow of wall hanging lights, a delightful contrast to the eyes. Certainly an inviting place to dine at. A good pick. But we wanted to sit outside along an edged table that is the barrier to the business. Straight away seated (reclaimed booking) and a small dish of olives, bread and oil is of course a typical mediterranean start to any meal. I am delighted because this small dish had heart. A torn up menu for its base to soak up any drips of oils or saliva with each peck. But a meal ain't started without a bottle of Chianti. Of course the restaurant had italian wines and they all were. I tried to find something australian but no luck. I knew this place meant business offering you a forced traditional experience. But it was in no way pompous as cute staff members are happy to explain and translate each stages and dishes. A primi start of tagliatelle with marjoram, lemon & pecorino was a powerful hit of flavours that I would not soon forget. Every single bite was the exact equal of flavours that held onto the last bit of pasta. The sauce just held onto dear life to it. My lips were buzzing with the flavour sensations. More Chianti, more smiles. Started to notice people walking by in front of us looking onto our table and into your dishes with hungry eyes. This was entertainment for us. More so people walking past and stopping to admire this little italian. A quarter ventured in. This way, the place filled up quickly. A secondi was simple choices. Fish or lamb? White or red? We obviously had picked Lamb with verdure miste to go hand with our favourite bottle of the evening. The portion was think...and soft. Win! Cooked through and through, I'd expect this delicate meat from a rare cooked meat but obviously I was under the assumption they are average quality meat. Bah! I know nothing. Amateur I am. It was delicious was all I could say. The lamb being so so tender I enjoyed it all. It wasn't the first thing I finished with the sides going first. I'm not a fan of eggplant and now I am. Marinated to absolute bliss along with tomatoes mixed in, any longer on the stove would have turned into a sauce. Melts in the mouth. The meat I used to soak up the rest of the plate so I didn't have the crass to lick up the plate. Upon finishing the bottle with 2 plates cleaned out, I was convinced with ease and a smile to try dessert. I'm expecting decadence. A smashed meringue, peaches & mascarpone is brought out and thats when I dropped my spoon and covered my mouth. "oh my god!" It simply collapsed, melted and fizzed in my mouth with a simple tongue press instead of any chew. A pallet cleans and replaced subtleness of sweet three simple ingredients. I didn't want to leave and it was already 2 hours. We asked for another bottle but of certain flavours which were instantly understood and brought out. Of course it was poured and tasted to see what it is we wanted but without a doubt it was United Nations standard of translation need for a finishing dining experience. With a three cheese plate, it was all a yes, Yes, YES... and a grappa salute. Entering at opening time and leaving closing time, a cozy walk away from this little italian restaurant called Sagra thinking and savouring the experience will have me running back. Actually, I ran back because I forgot my jacket thinking about this. Darlinghurst didn't disappoint yet again and Sagra staff should be congratulated. A everyday changing menu would sure welcome you back and try a whole new again experience. Well done. YUM! Mark My Words

We came here expecting greatness and left feeling very underwhelmed…read more On the surface Sagra has everything a lovely dinner spot should have in Darlinghurst. Situated in an area not known for culinary greatness. The decor and ambiance created in this renovated space is awesome. The short wine list is exceptional with amazing Italian wines together with a "specials" list of wines too which were very tasty indeed. If you read through my other reviews the high points of any of my favourite restaurants is the service closely followed by the food ;). Sagra needs to work on its service. It is erratic and at often times familiarity becomes rudeness. A number of times the manager on the floor came across as gruff and not interested in providing the fun, warm and engaging customer service I have come to expect. The food was OK no where near the quality of similar Italian restaurants in the local area e.g Baccomatto Osteria. The pasta was a little stodgy and the sauces lacked. The squid was a little rubbery and cut into mega pieces that were hard to handle. Look overall for this area its a good restaurant but it does not compare to some of this restaurants peers of a similar vintage.

Love this place for a casual Greek meal. Dining room is casual, and great atmosphere…read more Love the food - share plates are awesome, and deceptively filling. Also love that I can grab a gluten-free classic wrap, and enjoy a kebab style Greek dish. Customer service is excellent too. Recommend this place for any family or friend-based event.

Jam packed! From…read morethe moment we walked in to the moment we left this place was full with people. This is generally a positive Sign. You order at the front and then items are delivered to your table, fairly quickly I might add. Prices are super reasonable which is awesome! We ordered lamb souvla plate with haloumi and extra 100g lamb to share between two with two sparkling waters. Total cost was $33.50! Food was really tasty and the lamb delicious!!! It was definitely the stand out of the dish. My only complaint was that it could have been hotter. At best whole meal was warm. Really authentic food. Great setting. Very affordable.